120 doodles

Journal Doodling Ideas

One small journal doodle per press, with the pens it needs and how to draw it.

All 120

A heading on a paper aeroplane's wing1 pen. Draw the plane side on, then letter along its long wing.

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All 120 doodles

Headings 24

A heading between two small arrows 1 pen. Arrows pointing in from both sides; the word sits in the gap.
A heading framed by two sprigs 1 pen and 1 colour. A small leafy sprig curving in from each side.
A heading in a window with shutters 1 pen. A small window, shutters open, the word on the glass.
A heading on a hanging frame with two nails 1 pen. A rectangle hung from two strings that meet at a nail.
A heading on a jar label 1 pen. The jar outline, a lid, and a label band across the front for the word.
A heading on a paper aeroplane's wing 1 pen. Draw the plane side on, then letter along its long wing.
A heading on a slate board 1 pen. A dark frame, the word in white or left as paper, a bit of chalk dust.
A heading sitting on a cloud 1 pen and 1 colour. Letter the word first, then draw a bumpy cloud line under and round it.
A heading with a half sun rising behind it 1 pen and 1 colour. A half circle behind the word and short rays fanning out.

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Headings, continued

A heading written along a pencil 1 pen and 1 colour. A long pencil across the page, the word on its side, the point at one end.
A month name on a banner with notched tails 1 pen and 1 colour. Draw a long strip with a V cut in each tail, then letter inside it.
A month title with a giant first letter 1 pen and 1 colour. The first letter three times taller, decorated; the rest sits beside it.
A tab sticking out of the page edge 1 pen and 1 colour. A small rounded tab at the side, the section name on it.
A title between two stacked lines of dots 1 pen. A row of dots above and below the word, like a stitched label.
A title in a box with one folded corner 1 pen. Cut the corner with a diagonal and draw the small folded triangle.
A title in a rounded label with a drop shadow 1 pen and 1 colour. Draw the label, then the same shape again, offset and filled.
A title in a ticket stub 1 pen. A rectangle with a notch in each side and a dashed tear line near one end.
A title on a strip of torn paper 1 pen and 1 colour. Draw a strip with ragged ends and a few fibres at the tear.
A title on a wooden signpost 1 pen. A pointed board on a post, grain lines, the title on the board.
A title riding on a wave 1 pen and 1 colour. One curling wave line; the letters sit along its top.
The date on a hanging tag 1 pen. A tag shape with a hole and a loop of string. Write the date across the middle.
The day's name inside a leaf 1 pen and 1 colour. One big leaf with a middle vein; letter along the vein.
Week letters on a string of bunting 1 pen and 2 colours. One triangle per letter hanging from a sagging line.
The week number inside a round stamp 1 pen. Two circles, the number in the middle, tiny words round the ring.

Dividers 24

A chain of paper-clip links 1 pen. Draw each clip as a long rounded loop hooked into the next.
A dotted line with scissors at one end 1 pen. Small dashes across the page and a pair of open scissors at the start.
A laurel sprig on each side of a dot 1 pen and 1 colour. Two curved sprigs pointing out from a small central dot.
A line of beads in three sizes 1 pen and 1 colour. Big, medium, small, repeated along a thread.
A line of scalloped half circles 1 pen. Draw a row of small bumps along a ruler edge, then a dot above each.
A line of stitches with a needle at the end 1 pen. Short dashes in a row, a needle and a trailing thread at one end.
A line that ends in a pencil 1 pen. Draw the line as if the pencil at the end has just drawn it.
A line with a crescent moon in the middle 1 pen and 1 colour. A small moon and two stars; the line runs out from each side.
A ribbon with a bow in the middle 1 pen and 1 colour. Draw the bow first, then the ribbon running out to each side.
A row of falling raindrops 1 pen and 1 colour. Teardrops at slightly different heights with a small highlight in each.
A row of little arrows all pointing one way 1 pen and 1 colour. Small chevrons at even gaps. Alternate filled and empty.
A row of stars getting smaller 1 pen and 1 colour. Five-pointed stars shrinking from left to right.
A row of tiny hearts on one line 1 pen and 1 colour. Draw the line first, then hearts at even gaps sitting on it.
A street of little houses as a divider 1 pen and 1 colour. Box, triangle roof, one window each; vary the heights along one ground line.
A string of pennants between two poles 1 pen and 2 colours. Two short posts at the ends and a sagging line of small flags.
A strip of patterned tape drawn across the page 1 pen and 1 colour. Two straight edges with zigzag ends and stripes inside.
A trail of tiny footprints 1 pen. Pairs of small ovals with toe dots, stepping across the page.
A wave line with a small boat 1 pen and 1 colour. Gentle waves across the page and one sailing boat on them.
A wavy line with a dot in each dip 1 pen. Smooth waves, then a dot in every hollow.
A zigzag with a circle at every point 1 pen. Draw the zigzag, then a small circle on each peak and dip.
An ivy trail running under the heading 1 pen and 1 colour. One wavy stem with pointed three-lobed leaves hanging below it.
Cat ears peeking over a line 1 pen. A row of pointed ear pairs and eyes, the bodies hidden below the line.
Fairy lights looping between two lines of writing 1 pen and 2 colours. A drooping wire with small bulbs, a glow drawn round each.
Flowers on stems of different heights 1 pen and 2 colours. A row of simple five-petal flowers, stems rising from one ground line.

Icons for lists 24

A bin for bin day 1 pen. A wheelie bin with a lid and two wheels.
A cake slice marking a birthday in the week 1 pen and 1 colour. A triangle wedge with one candle; write the name beside it.
A coin for a bill to pay 1 pen and 1 colour. A circle with a ridge round the edge and a tick when paid.
A dumbbell for exercise 1 pen. Two blocks joined by a bar.
A fountain pen for a letter to write 1 pen. A nib and a barrel at a slant with a small ink drop.
A glass of water with a level line 1 pen and 1 colour. A tall glass; shade up to the line for how much you drank.
A house for jobs at home 1 pen. A square and a triangle roof, a door. Write the job inside.
A lightbulb for an idea 1 pen and 1 colour. A bulb with a squiggle inside and short rays round it.
A moon for hours of sleep 1 pen and 1 colour. A crescent with a small z beside it; a number goes next to it.
A music note for practice 1 pen. A pair of joined notes. Colour a note for each session.
A paintbrush for art time 1 pen and 1 colour. A handle, a band, a brush tip dipped in colour.
A plane for a trip 1 pen. A simple plane seen from above with a dashed flight line.
A plant pot for watering day 1 pen and 1 colour. A pot and three leaves; a drop beside it for done.
A row of weather symbols 1 pen and 2 colours. Sun, cloud, rain and snow; circle the one that fits the day.
A shopping bag for errands 1 pen and 1 colour. A box with two loop handles; write the errand on it.
A small heart for a good moment 1 pen and 1 colour. One heart per good thing that happened today.
A small suitcase for packing 1 pen and 1 colour. A box with a handle and two straps.
A star for a win 1 pen and 1 colour. A five-pointed star you fill in when something goes right.
A tiny cup for each drink of tea or coffee 1 pen. A small cup with a handle and a wisp of steam. Fill one in for each drink.
A tooth for a dentist visit 1 pen. A rounded tooth with two roots and a small sparkle.
A trainer for a walk 1 pen. The shoe side on, laces as crosses. Tick it when the walk is done.
An alarm clock for an appointment 1 pen. A round clock with two bells on top; the hands at the time.
An envelope for post to send 1 pen. A rectangle with a V flap. Add a tiny stamp when it is sent.
An open book for reading time 1 pen. Two curved pages from a spine. Colour it in when you read.

Boxes and frames 24

A book-shaped box for reading notes 1 pen. An open book outline; notes go on its two pages.
A box pinned up with a drawn push pin 1 pen and 1 colour. A note shape and a round pin head at the top with a small shadow.
A box taped down at two corners 1 pen and 1 colour. A rectangle with strips of tape across the top corners.
A box with a banner across its top 1 pen and 1 colour. A rectangle with a ribbon laid over its upper edge for the heading.
A box with a frame of leaves 1 pen and 1 colour. Small leaves all the way round the edge, stems pointing one way.
A box with a label tab on top 1 pen. A rectangle with a small raised tab like a folder.
A box with scalloped edges 1 pen. Run small bumps round a rectangle, like a biscuit edge.
A calendar square with ring binding 1 pen. A square with two small rings at the top and the date large inside.
A cassette tape box for a playlist 1 pen. A rectangle with two round holes and a label strip for the list.
A clipboard for a checklist 1 pen. A board with a clip at the top and lines with tick boxes.
A cloud-shaped box for ideas 1 pen. A big bumpy cloud outline with room inside for writing.
A dashed box like a coupon 1 pen. A rectangle drawn in dashes with scissors on one side.
A jar outline for small wins 1 pen and 1 colour. A tall jar; add a small circle inside for each win.
A map pin box for places 1 pen and 1 colour. A tear-shaped pin at the top left and a box beside it.
A notepad with a spiral along the top 1 pen. A rectangle and a row of small loops across the top edge.
A receipt strip for spending 1 pen. A tall thin box with a zigzag bottom edge.
A screen-shaped box for what you watched 1 pen. A rounded rectangle on a small stand.
A speech bubble for a quote 1 pen. A rounded bubble with a tail pointing to the corner.
A sticky note box for a reminder 1 pen and 1 colour. A square with one bottom corner lifting and a soft shadow under it.
A ticket-shaped box for plans 1 pen and 1 colour. A long rectangle with half-circle notches on the sides.
A to-do box with a pencil in the corner 1 pen. A rectangle and a small pencil lying across its top corner.
A window box of four panes for four days 1 pen. One window, four panes, a day in each.
An instant-photo frame for a memory 1 pen. A square with a wider bottom edge for a caption.
An open envelope with a letter sticking out 1 pen. The flap up, a lined page rising out of it for writing.

Corner doodles 24

A bee flying in on a dotted path 1 pen and 1 colour. A small striped bee and a looping dotted trail behind it.
A bird on a wire across the top corner 1 pen. A diagonal wire and a small round bird sitting on it.
A bunch of flowers tied with a bow 1 pen and 2 colours. Three stems crossing, a bow where they meet.
A cat's face peeking over the bottom edge 1 pen. Two ears, two eyes and two paws gripping the edge of the page.
A cobweb across a top corner 1 pen. Three lines from the corner, then curved threads between them.
A crescent moon and stars in a top corner 1 pen and 1 colour. The moon near the corner, three small stars round it.
A hot-air balloon rising from the corner 1 pen and 2 colours. A round balloon, a basket and two lines joining them.
A kite with its tail down the margin 1 pen and 2 colours. A diamond kite in the corner, a bow-tied tail running down.
A lighthouse in the bottom corner 1 pen and 1 colour. A striped tower on a rock with beams from the top.
A lit candle in the corner 1 pen and 1 colour. A short candle, a drip of wax and a teardrop flame.
A paper boat in the bottom corner 1 pen. A folded boat shape on two wave lines.
A pencil leaning in the corner 1 pen and 1 colour. A pencil at a slant with its point touching the bottom edge.
A plant growing up the margin 1 pen and 1 colour. A pot at the bottom and a stem climbing beside the writing.
A rainbow across a corner 1 pen and 3 colours. Three curved bands from one edge to the other.
A small cactus growing up a margin 1 pen and 1 colour. A tall pad and one arm, short spine marks, the pot at the page edge.
A small cloud raining on the corner 1 pen and 1 colour. A cloud and short slanted rain lines below it.
A snail crawling along the bottom edge 1 pen. A spiral shell, a soft body and a shiny trail behind it.
A steaming cup of tea in the corner 1 pen and 1 colour. A cup, a tag hanging over the rim, a wisp of steam.
A sun in the top corner 1 pen and 1 colour. A quarter circle tucked into the corner with rays.
A tiny house on a hill in the corner 1 pen and 1 colour. A curved hill and a small house with smoke from the chimney.
Balloons tied to the corner 1 pen and 2 colours. Three ovals on strings that meet at one point.
Leaves falling down a corner 1 pen and 2 colours. A few leaves at angles, one still falling mid-air.
Snowflakes drifting from a top corner 1 pen and 1 colour. Small six-armed flakes, bigger near the corner.
Three mushrooms in the bottom corner 1 pen and 1 colour. Three domed caps of different sizes, spotted, on short stems.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next on 2026-09-24: 120 small doodles for a journal in five groups (headings, dividers, list icons, boxes and frames, corner doodles), each with the pens it needs and how to draw it. Kept apart from sketchbook-ideas and art-journal-prompts, whose items are whole pages, and from doodles-to-draw-when-bored, whose items are patterns to fill time; no item repeats a title from any other list on the site. No facts are stated. Licence: own work

How it works

Journal doodling for the small parts of a page: a heading on a banner, a trail of footprints as a divider, a cup icon for every tea. Each of the 120 says which pens it needs. Press once, then choose a group.

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Doodles for journaling a week

Headings and Dividers hold 24 each, enough to give every day its own look: a month name on a banner with notched tails, a trail of tiny footprints under it. Icons for lists holds 24 more for habit rows, such as a glass of water with a level line.

Easy journal drawings in one pen

Quick holds 22 that need a single black pen: a dotted line with scissors at one end, a lightbulb for an idea, a crescent moon and stars in a top corner. Practise each one twice in the margin first.

For doodle journaling ideas that last a month, keep to one colour plus black. The pages will look like a set.
Draw boxes and dividers before you write, so the words fit the space.

Questions and answers

What are good doodles for journals?

Small, repeatable ones that sit round writing without crowding it: headings, dividers, icons, boxes and corner doodles. The corner ones, such as a snail crawling along the bottom edge, fill space without taking a page.

Where do I start with doodle journal ideas?

Pick one heading and one divider and use them all week. Then add an icon row, such as a moon for hours of sleep, and a box for notes. Four small doodles make a finished-looking spread.

How are journaling doodles different from art journal prompts?

Art journal prompts are whole pages of paint, paper and memories. These are journaling drawing ideas for the parts round your writing: a title, a line, an icon, a box.